Rice Genomics and Genetics 2024, Vol.15, No.3, 132-141 http://cropscipublisher.com/index.php/rgg 132 Research Report Open Access Harnessing Natural Genetic Diversity: The Impact of Wild Rice Alleles on Cultivated Varieties Jianquan Li Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China Corresponding email: jianquan.li@hitar.org Rice Genomics and Genetics, 2024, Vol.15, No.3 doi: 10.5376/rgg.2024.15.0014 Received: 05 May, 2024 Accepted: 06 Jun., 2024 Published: 14 Jun., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Li, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Li J.Q., 2024, Harnessing natural genetic diversity: the impact of wild rice alleles on cultivated varieties, Rice Genomics and Genetics, 15(3): 132-141 (doi: 10.5376/rgg.2024.15.0014) Abstract Harnessing the genetic diversity found in wild rice species has the potential to significantly enhance the agronomic traits of cultivated rice varieties. This study explores the impact of wild rice alleles on cultivated rice, focusing on the identification and utilization of beneficial quantitative trait loci (QTL) alleles from wild relatives such as Oryza rufipogon. Studies have shown that wild rice species, despite being phenotypically inferior, possess alleles that can improve traits like grain yield, drought resistance, and disease resistance when introgressed into cultivated varieties. Advances in genomic technologies and molecular markers have facilitated the discovery and incorporation of these alleles, leading to the development of superior rice cultivars. The study also highlights the challenges and strategies in leveraging wild rice genetic resources, emphasizing the importance of systematic evaluation and the creation of introgression libraries for future rice improvement. Overall, the innovative use of wild rice alleles holds promise for enhancing the genetic base and resilience of cultivated rice, contributing to global food security. Keywords Wild rice alleles; Quantitative trait loci (QTL); Genetic diversity; Rice improvement; Introgression libraries 1 Introduction Genetic diversity is a cornerstone of crop improvement, providing the raw material for breeding programs to develop new varieties with enhanced traits. The erosion of genetic diversity in cultivated crops due to the widespread adoption of high-yielding varieties has led to increased vulnerability to pests, diseases, and environmental stresses. Therefore, harnessing genetic diversity is critical to ensure food security, resilience, and sustainability in agriculture. Wild relatives of crops, such as wild rice, are invaluable reservoirs of genetic diversity. They possess unique alleles that can introduce beneficial traits such as disease resistance, stress tolerance, and improved nutritional quality into cultivated varieties (Swain et al., 2017). Wild rice species, particularly Oryza rufipogon, have evolved over millennia to adapt to diverse and challenging environments, resulting in a rich genetic pool. These species harbor alleles that have been lost during the domestication of cultivated rice (Oryza sativa). These alleles include those conferring resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, which are crucial for the development of resilient rice varieties. Recent advancements in genomic technologies have facilitated the identification and utilization of these alleles in breeding programs. Studies have shown that wild rice can significantly enhance traits such as salt tolerance, drought resistance, and yield stability in cultivated rice (Stein et al., 2018; Zhang et al., 2020). This study aims to consolidate current knowledge on the genetic diversity of wild rice and its potential impact on cultivated rice varieties. Highlight the importance of genetic diversity in crop improvement. Provide an overview of the beneficial alleles found in wild rice species. Discuss the methodologies used to introgress these alleles into cultivated rice. Evaluate the impact of wild rice alleles on the agronomic traits of cultivated varieties. Identify future research directions and potential challenges in harnessing wild rice for crop improvement.
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